Call for Recipes: Crock-Pot Favorites

Here’s an easy way to make queso dip:
-Brown chorizo sausage in skillet then transfer to crockpot.
-Cut one 1-lb block of Mexican Velveeta into cubes and add to crockpot.
-Add 1/2 can chicken broth to crockpot. Reserve remainder – may need to add more if cheese sauce turns out too thick.
-Turn crockpot to Low and cover. Stir frequently and serve with tortilla chips when cheese is completely melted.

I’m following you from Spotlight Saturday blog hop. I think you’d have fun at http://www.magicalmouseschoolhouse.com, where Disney IS school. Hope you can stop by!

Crock pot meals are a time saver for sure. I got my favorite recipe from a poster on an on-line food forum a few years ago and it’s turned into my husband’s favorite beef pot roast.

Italian Beef Pot Roast

1 – 2-3 lb. Beef Chuck Roast
1 Pkg. Dry Brown Gravy Mix
1 Pkg. Dry Italian Salad Dressing Mix
1 Pkg. Dry Ranch Salad Dressing Mix
1/2 c. water

Put raw chuck roast into crock pot (lined with Reynolds crock pot liner for easy clean up). Open all dry mixes and stir together to mix well. Spoon dry mixes onto top of beef roast – it will look like a lot. Pour water around edge, not on top of roast. Add lid and cook on low for 8 – 12 hours – – do not open as the condensation dripping on the roast causes the seasonings to “melt” into the meat and it tastes as if it was seared.

Leftover roast can be shredded and reheated with some of the “juice” to have Italian Beef Sandwiches – Toasted sub buns and a slice of mozarella or provolene cheese.

I have a Hamilton Beach crock pot with a “locking lid” that is wonderful for times when you want to deliver a meal to a friend or carry soup to a relative with a cold. There’s a leak-proof gasket that assures your car won’t have to be steam-cleaned after your mission of mercy! I also heartily endorse the Reynolds Crock Pot Liners – a soapy swish and my crock pot is clean! No more soaking and scrubbing.

My friend let me borrow her Southern Living Slow Cooker cookbook and there was a fabulous “Easy Chicken Cassoulet” that the guys loved. I couldn’t find it online for you but here is another version. Enjoy 🙂

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=10000001108223

Here is one of my favorites, for something a little different:

Thai Pork with Peanut Sauce

http://mccartyparty.blogspot.com/2009/08/slow-cooker-scrumptious-thai-pork-with.html

I love my crockpot. Here is one of my family’s easiest recipes that all the kids love just as much as the adults.

It is a crockpot pot roast recipe, and you put the vegetables in with it so you basically make the main dish and the sides at the same time. Talk about a time saver. Plus, we try to buy the roast when it is on sale, and then it is also a very frugal recipe!

http://www.household-management-101.com/crockpot-pot-roast-recipes.html

I hope you enjoy it!

I have this model: http://www.crock-pot.com/Product.aspx?cid=113&pid=7159 The size is perfect because you can make a lot or a little (5.5qt) and the button controls are great because it will switch over to warm mode when it’s done cooking (instead of the knob versions). I’d definitely recommend a moderately large sized model and one that has at the very least a warm setting.

Here are some recipes that have been big hits here:
Italian Wedding Soup: http://www.bakedbyrachel.com/2010/10/slow-cooker-italian-wedding-soup/
Chicken and Wild Rice Soup http://www.bakedbyrachel.com/2010/05/chicken-and-wild-rice-soup/
Corn Chowder: http://www.bakedbyrachel.com/2010/05/slow-cooker-corn-chowder/
Shredded Taco Meat (great for many meal options): http://www.bakedbyrachel.com/2010/04/spicy-shredded-taco-bites/
Beef Stew: http://www.bakedbyrachel.com/2010/02/slow-cooker-beef-stew/

I’m always looking for more great recipes though so I’ll be checking out the ones shared.